Able to play the role of spoiler over the final three games of the year, the Kansas City Royals will look to left-hander Bruce Chen on Monday evening for Game 1 against the Detroit Tigers.
Chen was knocked from the mound in the seventh inning after allowing 10 hits against the Tigers on Sept. 25, but was electric against Detroit hitters the last time he faced them from Kauffman Stadium. In arguably his most dominant start of 2012, Chen held the Tigers scoreless over eight innings of four-hit ball to earn the victory back on Aug. 29.
Facing a hitting machine like Detroit's Miguel Cabrera however, Chen will need to be extra careful on Monday if he wants to snatch his 12th victory for the third straight season. Cabrera remains stuck in a tie for the league's home run total with Josh Hamilton at 43, but has knocked out three career bombs against Chen in his time with Detroit.
Royals
1. Jarrod Dyson (L) DH
2. Alcides Escobar (R) SS
3. Alex Gordon (L) LF
4. Billy Butler (R) 1B
5. Salvador Perez (R) C
6. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
7. Jeff Francoeur (R) RF
8. David Lough (L) CF
9. Irving Falu (S) 2B
Bruce Chen (L) SP
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson (R) CF
2. Omar Infante (R) 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 3B
4. Prince Fielder (L) 1B
5. Delmon Young (R) DH
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
7. Andy Dirks (L) LF
8. Avisail Garcia (R) RF
9. Alex Avila (L) C
Rick Porcello (R) SP